crux
Definitions
The most essential, central, or difficult point of a matter
关键，症结，核心难点
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedBorrowed straight from Latin crux (cross) with no change. A cross is where two lines cross — an intersection, a knot. The crux of a matter is that single crossing point where everything tangles together: the core difficulty everything else hinges on.
Root cruc still carries 4 more wordsUsage Guide
- Almost always singular and definite: the crux of something (the crux of the matter / the argument / the issue).
- Plurals are rare and split: cruxes (modern) or cruces (Latin-style, academic).
- It marks the central difficulty, not just any important point — reserve it for the one knot everything depends on.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The crux of the problem is a lack of funding.
- 2.
That single question is the crux of the whole debate.
- 3.
We finally got to the crux of the matter.
Synonym Comparison
- crux — the central knot where everything tangles; the core difficulty
- core — the innermost part, neutral (the core of an apple, the core issue)
- essence — the defining nature of something, not its difficulty
- gist — the main point or summary, especially of what was said
- nub — informal, close to crux: the nub of the problem